ANTWERP (Belgium), Dec 5: Jonathon Power, the only North American to win a major squash championship, has warned that he intends to win back the World Open which starts in Antwerp on Friday.

The 28-year-old from Montreal has already managed one important coup this year by taking away Peter Nicol’s Commonwealth title in Manchester — now he plans to upset his fierce rival once more.

Power’s flamboyant style is a complete contrast to the Briton’s tenaciously disciplined play, and the rivalry has gained added spice after an uncharacteristic Nicol outburst after losing to Power in the final of the YMG Canadian Classic final in Toronto three weeks ago.

He took exception to the home player being allowed a 40-minute break to recover from an ankle injury after a fall, accusing Power of being “a drama queen.”

Nicol had been suffering from a similar injury himself and only played in the tournament partly out of loyalty to the event.

The head-to-head between the two players stands at 16 wins each, with the 29-year-old Nicol having lost five of their seven meetings in 2002, although he still narrowly hangs on to the world number one position.

Rarely afraid of risking criticism, Power volunteered that “there have been quite a few referees he would have liked to throw out over the years” — an oblique reference to the controversial ejection of South African referee Harvey Bowlt during the $120,000 Qatar Classic last month.

Bowlt was withdrawn after he awarded a penalty stroke against Australia’s Super Series title holder David Palmer — a possible semifinal opponent for Power in Antwerp.

Power’s downfall that week was caused by the brilliant John White, the Australian-raised Scot who also beat him at the British Open in Manchester in April, but who this time is in Nicol’s half of the draw.—Reuters